New Warning Labels On Anti-Depressants for Children

As of March 9th, 2005, The U.S.Food and Drug Administration is requiring black box warnings on many anti-depressants sold in the U.S. The warnings will state that two out of 100 young people who are taking antidepressants are more likely to think about or try suicide because of the medication.

These "black box" warning labels, which are reserved for the most dangerous drugs on the market, will be seen on Prozac, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Paxil and Zoloft, and others.

Considerable debate and special pleading from parents finally prompted the change, after much publicity about the danger of SSRIs to children, and the decision to ban their use for children in Britain.

"The incidence of suicide attempts reaches a peak during the mid-adolescent years, and mortality from suicide, which increases steadily through the teens, is the third leading cause of death at that age. The evidence is strong that over 90 percent of children and adolescents who commit suicide have a mental disorder." U.S. Surgeon General

Fifteen million children and teens in the United States suffer from diagnosable mental illness each year, according to the Surgeon General. In children and adolescents, the most frequently diagnosed mood disorders are major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. Anti-depressants are commonly prescribed for a wide range of mental problems, from depressive disorders to different forms of anxiety.